Clayton Lockett, 38, convicted of murder, rape and kidnapping, died in agony on 29 April 2014 at Oklahoma State Penitentiary after a botched lethal injection that left the execution chamber covered in blood and took 43 minutes to complete.
Failed attempts to find a vein
Execution staff spent more than 50 minutes searching for usable veins before locating one in Lockett's groin. Court documents and reports detailed dozens of needle puncture marks across his arms, legs and neck.
A doctor attempting to access the groin vein reportedly pierced an artery, spraying blood that struck staff members and left the chamber in a "bloody mess."
Witnesses describe the scene
Following the lethal injection, Lockett did not drift away peacefully. Witnesses and journalists described him thrashing violently, raising his head and shoulders from the gurney, and emitting agonised groans. Prison officials lowered blinds over the viewing window approximately 16 minutes into the procedure as the situation descended into chaos.
A paramedic at the scene told The Guardian: "I said (redacted) you've hit the artery. Well, it'll be alright [sic]. We'll go ahead and get the drugs. No. We can't do that. It doesn't work that way, and then I wasn't telling him that."
Courtney Francisco, a local journalist at the execution, told the BBC that Lockett was mumbling "as if he was trying to talk". Lockett's solicitor, David Autry, said: "It was a horrible thing to witness. This was totally botched."
Inquiry and suspension
Governor Mary Fallin ordered an independent inquiry and a temporary suspension of other forthcoming executions while Oklahoma's protocols were examined. A nationwide debate followed regarding the drugs states were administering and whether midazolam - the sedative used in this instance - provided sufficient unconsciousness.
Critics argued that inadequate training for medical staff and a lack of transparency over procedures contributed to the conditions for the disaster, not merely the combination of drugs.
Warner's execution postponed
Lockett's fellow inmate, Charles Warner, had been scheduled for execution in the same room just two hours later. Nevertheless, this was postponed until 2015 following the executioners' shambolic efforts.
Warner's attorney, Madeline Cohen, was present during Lockett's execution and described him as having been "tortured to death", while demanding an inquiry. She stated: "The state must disclose complete information about the drugs, including their purity, efficacy, source and the results of any testing."
